It’s never too early to think about feed testing
CALGARY, AB. — Along with many other crops, cattle feed is being swathed and harvested – in some cases, it’s already been baled or is in the silage bunkers.
While it’s best to test the feed close to the day the animals will be consuming it, early testing and then re-testing when it’s time to be used for feed, may be optimal. It will help determine if supplemental feed is required and allow time to source that supplemental feed.
To help read test numbers, the Alberta Beef, Forage and Grazing Centre developed the Tool for Evaluating Feed Test Results – to help answer any question producers will have.
The tool allows producers to input results feed testing along with the class of animal that will be fed. It will give a green light (OK to feed), yellow light (be cautious if feeding as a stand-alone feed source), or red light (don’t feed this as a stand-alone feed source).